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Original cones vs new type

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I sure this question has been asked before and I apologize for not doing searches. Why is the exit hole in the nipple so small compared to an original one that came out? I received my order from TOW and was curios about the difference as I will shoot this SxS once I'm done with it.
Thanks much all
Wayne
 
The small hole allows the flash to go through and reduces the back pressure from coming out. It’s a good thing.
Thank you as that explains much as in not blowing the hammer back to half cock. This one is the 16 ga Westley Richards I have been working on. Typical WR the barrels have the vent/blow out plugs in the breach plug so maybe the larger nipple hole meant little with the vent holes?
 
Thank you as that explains much as in not blowing the hammer back to half cock. This one is the 16 ga Westley Richards I have been working on. Typical WR the barrels have the vent/blow out plugs in the breach plug so maybe the larger nipple hole meant little with the vent holes?
Interesting! I know that some percussion arms from the Late 1800s came with a very tiny air vent drilled into the bolster. The hole was located in the region between the nipple and the barrel, and was set to vent any 'compressed air' out of the fire channel in order to allow the flash to more easily ignite the powder in the barrel. I believe a secondary benefit would be to relieve blow-back pressure. This tiny vent was drilled perpendicularly into the bolster, generally angled about 45 degrees forward and upward, away from the shooter's face and hands. This practice was still being recommended in the DGW muzzloading catalogs during the 1970s.
 
Interesting! I know that some percussion arms from the Late 1800s came with a very tiny air vent drilled into the bolster. The hole was located in the region between the nipple and the barrel, and was set to vent any 'compressed air' out of the fire channel in order to allow the flash to more easily ignite the powder in the barrel. I believe a secondary benefit would be to relieve blow-back pressure. This tiny vent was drilled perpendicularly into the bolster, generally angled about 45 degrees forward and upward, away from the shooter's face and hands. This practice was still being recommended in the DGW muzzloading catalogs during the 1970s.
Procedure is still listed in the 2023 DGW catalog. Venting A Percussion Gun found on page 525.
 
My William Moore double 12 bore came with nipples that looked like a sewer pipe compared to modern ones.
I've shot it many times with no issues, but I'll admit the main springs are Hell For Stout. The seller said both locks were frozen... they weren't, just hard to cock. Maybe that's how they got away with huge holes in the nipples.
 
Procedure is still listed in the 2023 DGW catalog. Venting A Percussion Gun found on page 525.
The Dixie catalog states what it does but the original purpose of the vent was to keep the barrel from bursting in the event of a bore obstruction or improper loading. Fine guns at that time had blow out plugs made of gold or platine.
 
I sure this question has been asked before and I apologize for not doing searches. Why is the exit hole in the nipple so small compared to an original one that came out? I received my order from TOW and was curios about the difference as I will shoot this SxS once I'm done with it.
Thanks much all
Wayne
new nipple small hole shoot that new nipple 100 time than look at the size of the hole. Are you familiar with plasma cutters?
 
"The Dixie catalog states what it does but the original purpose of the vent was to keep the barrel from bursting in the event of a bore obstruction or improper loading. Fine guns at that time had blow out plugs made of gold or platine."

I have read a few reasons for the plug, the over pressure and faster ignition were two of them I forget the third. My plugs in the WR look like platinum.
 
A better question might be "When did cones become nipples?" since "cones" was their name back in the day, whenever that was. Another thought - also "back in the day" cones/nipples were built different; the bottom opening was larger but there was a venturi-like constriction up higher in whatever we're calling them, causing the same restrictive effect as that small bottom exit hole. So it might look like it is burned out when in fact it's simply an older design.
 
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